Regional Chamber Honors Entrepreneurs

June 11, 1998

BRISTOL — Nearly 400 city businesspeople, politicians and others gathered at a hotel Wednesday night for the 109th such annual gathering of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to handing out awards to businesses and individuals, the group had something big to celebrate this year: Starting this week, calls from Bristol and much of Plymouth to Hartford-area exchanges are toll-free.

The chamber orchestrated the petition drive that led to the change.

Among those receiving awards Wednesday at the Radisson Inn are:

* Fourslide Spring Products Inc., the Distinguished Business of the Year -- founded in 1962, Fourslide Spring Products had grown fourfold and currently occupies 20,000 square feet of space on Cross Street;

* Martin Laviero Contractors Inc., Distinguished Business of the Year -- founded in 1941, Laviero has grown to 30 employees.

* Nuchie's Restaurant, the Small Business Award -- a popular catering hall in Forestville, Nuchie's was honored for its many fund-raising activities for local charities.

* Edward Lorenson, E. Bartlett Barnes Distinguished Service Award -- president of the former Bristol Savings Bank, Lorenson was honored for years of service that included stints as an officer of the Bristol Rotary, chamber of commerce, Bristol Hospital, Bristol Brass Foundation, American Red Cross and many other groups.

* Connie Trelli, Volunteer Award -- Trelli is the chamber's unofficial photographer, and has captured images from various events for publication in the organization's newsletter.